The Daily CCO: The Cubs and Game 7 of The World Series

The improbable has happened. After being down 3-1 in The Series, the Cubs won two straight games and have forced a winner takes all Game 7 of The World Series. The two greatest words in sports, Game 7, and the Chicago Cubs have a chance at making history Wednesday night (7:00pm CDT) in Cleveland.

The Cubs are the first team to force a Game 7 after being down 3-1 in The World Series since the ’85 Kansas City Royals. The Cubs will look to become the first team since Willie Stargell’s ‘We Are Family’ Pirates (1979) to win games six and seven on the road to take The World Series title. And the Cubs have a chance to become the 20th team to come back from a 3-2 deficit to win The Series.

Kyle Hendricks will start Game 7 with Jon Lester expected to be Joe Maddon’s first option out of the bullpen. Corey Kluber makes his third start of The Series for the Indians and will join Curt Schilling and Jack Morris as the only three pitchers to start games one, four and seven of a World Series since 1987.

The Cubs have put themselves in a position to win The World Series and reach the ultimate goal at the end of what has already been an amazing season.

World Series News and Notes

Here are the post-game reports, news and notes from Game 6 …

• CCO – Russell, Bryant and Rizzo Step Up Big in Game 6 Win, Cubs Send Series to Game 7 (includes video)

• Joe Maddon took a lot of heat for using Aroldis Chapman in the seventh inning with the Cubs leading by five runs at the time. Maddon managed it like an elimination game and with two on and the middle of the Indians lineup due up on a hitters night in Cleveland when a three-run homer would have made it a two-run game in a hurry. Chapman was left in to start to the ninth because Pedro Strop and Travis Wood did not have time to get loose. Chapman said he is 100 percent and his ankle is fine. Chapman is available to pitch in Game 7 in any way or situation Maddon wants to use him without limitations.

• Joe Maddon said Aroldis Chapmanwould have finished the game if Anthony Rizzo did not hit the two-run homer in the ninth. Chapman’s career-high pitch count of a four-day span is 83 according to MLB Stat of the Day. Chapman made 20 pitches in Game 6 after throwing 42 in Game 5 on Sunday night … that’s 62 pitches.

• According to the Sun-Times, Aroldis Chapman’s ankle is fine and his arm is ready for heavy load again in Game 7. Comcast SportsNet reportedAroldis Chapman has no plans to hold anything back now with championship on the line. ESPN asked if use of Aroldis Chapman in Game 6 will come back to hurt the Cubs in Game 7.

• The Cubs scored the most runs by a team facing elimination on the road in The World Series since the ’68 Detroit Tigers (13 runs) according to ESPN.

• Comcast SportsNet reported on the under-the-radar catch that may have helped save the Cubs season … spoiler alert it was Jason Heyward’s diving grab in the fourth inning.

Game 7 Start Time

There is rain in the forecast in Cleveland that is expected to hit Progressive Field around 10:00pm CDT (11:00pm ET).

Cubs Roster

The journey that started in Mesa when pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training will come to an end tonight. Win or otherwise, the Cubs have had an incredible, unforgettable season. And now the Cubs have a chance in Game 7 of The World Series to win the greatest championship in all of professional sports.

The Cubs roster has gone through countless changes this season and there is one notable player that was not with the team in Los Angeles for the first game of the season. For fun, here’s the Opening Day Roster and Opening Day starting lineup for Joe Maddon’s Cubs …

• Jon Lester will be available out of the bullpen for Game 7. Lester is more than willing to do what it takes for the Cubs to win The Series. Comcast SportsNet explained there are no rules when it comes to Game 7 of the World Series. Lester is expected to be Maddon’s first option out of the bullpen.

• Joe Maddonexplained why he battedKyle Schwarber second in the lineup for Game 6. Maddon talked to Javier Baez about readjusting his thought process at the plate and how to slow things down. ESPN Chicago reported Joe Maddon and the coaches are working with Javier Baez on his mental approach.

• Anthony Rizzotold Tony Andracki that he thought Monday’s day off and chance to decompress on Halloween was a big boost to the team after a stressful, pressure-packed Game 5.

• Darren Rovell reported that with the Cubs victory in Game 6 there was a massive spike in ticket prices for Game 7.

• MLB.com explained the uncanny parallels between Cubs and the ’79 Pirates. Willie Stargell’s ‘We Are Family’ Pirates are the last team to win games six and seven on the road to capture the World Series Championship.

2004 – After a groundskeeper found a grenade in the Wrigley Field turf, police bomb and arson investigators were called in to evaluate the situation. The rusty, hollowed-out shell turned out to be harmless.

2001 – Cubs acquired Mark Bellhorn from Oakland for Adam Morrissey

2000 – Cubs signed free agent Mick Mahoney

2000 – Wrigley Field was granted preliminary landmark status by the Landmarks Commission. Any plans to refurbish or tear down Wrigley Field would have to be reviewed by the commission moving forward.